San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-11
MISS ' aughan,
Larch Hill Farm,
CHATTER XIV.

Eric st. John h.l reckOn"d without
his host. when ht /, ought that in few
days he should bc able to do what he
liked and go where he would. Lady
GertOn. whose interest in her cousin
was quite from motives of affection,
noticed the restless manner of her lover.
There was but one thing for it, and that
was to keep his attention fully engaged
and his time fully occupied, then, in the
course of a few days, he would forget
all about this nonsense, and all would
br well again.
She carried out her resolve She in
vited people of distinction to meet him
people whom she knew he would be
pleased to mPet-peOple who could be
useful to him; but her great triumph
was when the celebrated Judge. Lord
llnwtOn, dined with them, and Lady
lIawtOn gave an invitation to all three,
Lady GertOn, Lady May. and Eric.
She took the greatest liking to all three.
She was going down to their country
house, where Lord IawtOn had invited
a party for grouse shooting, and she
begged of them to go with her.
Lord and Lady Carstairs are com
ing" she said. 1--WE can travel from
London together We shall form II
pleasant party"
At first Eric rebelled He did not
want to 90. The only thing he cared
fOl was to return to Larch Hill. But
Lady GertOn demonstrated with him.
What would you think" she asked,
''Of a cOurtler who declined the most
gracious invitation that Queen could
give him? What do you think of bar
rister whom Judge especially favOrs,
refusing those honOrs? Mr.. st. John,
you are smpletOnl''
You must go, Eric, ;" said Lady May,
Lady HawtOn knows that we are to
be married next year, and it will be
slight to me if you do not go. We shall
not be there many days, and | see no
reason for your refusal. Have you one
to giye?''
No, he had none, except the one in
his own mind-his desire to return to
Lnrch Hill. even were it only for an
our or two. He pictured to himself
the wrath of Lady Gerton and Lady
May when they knew he had declined
an important invitation for that. Bet
ter to go 20 Lord Hawton's. and to the
farm on his return.
Then he admitted to himself that he
had not quite made up his mind as to
the future-whether it was to be ambi-
ton or love. whether it was to be false
to Lady May. and true to Bonnie Doom.
His heart and his head were in dire
conflict: his heart said Bonnie Doom
and her sweet love, there was nothing
on earth which could compare with
them; his head told him how plainly the
lines of life were laid down for him;
that he had but to marry Lady May and
he would soon be one of the first men
in England. 1t is not the first time in
the annals of human nature that ambi-
ton has Striven with love. Altogether.
he thought to himself. it would be as
well if he waited some little time; he
should have leisure for thought, calm
reason and reflection.
a few DAYS could not matter; Bonnie
Doom had his present and his letter. lie
wondered just little why he had re-
ceived no answer, and it never occurred
TO him that he had sent no address.
So he went to Lord HawtOn's, and be-
| tween the shooting and engagements of
| different kinds the days passed swiftly.
lie met another eminent dignitary at
Lord Hawton's, who pressed him to 90
TO his country house, where the shoot
| ing was supposed to be fine; he went.
| Then Lady May was going to Oakham
| Court, and he was invited to Join her
that invitation he could not refuse.
So the long days passed. and as vet he
had not made up his mind. Should it
| be love and Bonnie Doom, or ambition
| and Lady May2 The matter at issue
| was too great for any rash decision, and
he thought all was right with Bonnie
: Doom; he did not know that anyone had
spoken to her of Lady Nav.
ITO be Continued